IVY League Universities in Germany 2025 - Check List Here!
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  • IVY League Universities in Germany 2025 - Check List Here!

IVY League Universities in Germany 2025 - Check List Here!

Piyush KohliUpdated on 28 Jul 2025, 10:07 AM IST

The Ivy League universities have stellar recognition, great educational quality, and impressive global rankings, so many students aspire to attend Ivy League colleges even though the admission process is extremely competitive. Commonly, the eight famous and oldest colleges in the US are referred to as the Ivy League. However, even though Germany does not officially have Ivy League universities, there are a few universities that are comparable to the Ivy League due to their academic excellence. These universities have a few qualities of US Ivy League universities like the prestige, selective admission process, focus on research and academic excellence. Discover this entire article on the top universities in Germany, with their ranking-related details, which are equal to Ivy League Universities.

This Story also Contains

  1. Ivy League Colleges in Germany
  2. German Ivy League Universities in Germany
  3. Factors to consider when choosing Ivy League Universities in Germany
IVY League Universities in Germany 2025 - Check List Here!
Ivy League Universities in Germany 2025

Ivy League Colleges in Germany

Although Germany has no Ivy League universities, like US Ivy League Universities, Germany has top eleven ‘University of Excellence’ namely RWTH Aachen University, Humboldt University of Berlin, University of Bonn, Dresden University of Technology, University of Hamburg, Heidelberg University, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, University of Konstanz, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, Technical University of Munich and University of Tubingen.

German Ivy League Universities in Germany

Germany does not have any Ivy League universities, still, Germany has many reputable institutions like top IVY League Universities are highly ranked according to QS rankings 2025.

IVY League in Germany: Rankings 2025

Technical University of Munich

TUM was established in 1868 as a government university. The university is situated in Bavaria, Germany. TUM has more than 178 degrees that include engineering, technology, medicine and science. Yearly around 8% of applicants are accepted at the Technical University of Munich.

Technical University of Munich: Highlights

Particulars

Details

Technical University of Munich Acceptance Rate

8%

Technical University of Munich Fee for Indians

INR 3.62 - 10.86 Lakhs per year

Number of International students at the Technical University of Munich

23,422

Popular Courses at the Technical University of Munich

Engineering, Technology, Medicine and Science

Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich

LMU was founded in 1472 as a government university. The university is situated in Bavaria, Germany. LMU offers 105 bachelor's, 113 master's, 76 teacher education and 20 other degrees including humanities, cultural studies, law, medicine, psychology and economics business administration. For admission, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich accepts around 15%.

Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich

Particulars

Details

Ludwig Maximilian University Acceptance Rate

15%

Ludwig Maximilian University Fee for Indians

No tuition fee

Number of International students at the Ludwig Maximilian University

11,415

Popular Courses at the Technical University of Munich

Humanities, Cultural Studies, Law, Medicine, Psychology and Economics Business Administration.

Heidelberg University

Heidelberg University was founded in 1386 and is located in Baden-Württemberg, Germany. It is a public university that offers more than 180 degree programs including biology, chemistry, political science, psychology, sociology, and medicine. Heidelberg University admits approximately 17% in a year.

Heidelberg University: Highlights

Particulars

Details

Heidelberg University Acceptance Rate

17%

Heidelberg University Fee for Indians

INR 1.37 - 4.66 Lakhs per year

Numberof International students at the Heidelberg University

6,000+

Popular Courses at the Heidelberg University

Biology, Chemistry, Political Science, Psychology, Sociology, and Medicine.

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Free University of Berlin

Established in 1948, the Free University of Berlin is a government university in Berlin, Germany. The university offers over 150 undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral degrees in popular programs that include biochemistry, bioinformatics, chemistry, business administration and computer science.

Free University of Berlin: Highlights

Particulars

Details

Free University of Berlin Acceptance Rate

15%

Free University of Berlin Fee for Indians

No tuition fee

Semester fee of INR 27,540 - 36,730

Number of International students at the Free University of Berlin

8,261

Popular Courses at the Free University of Berlin

Biochemistry, Bioinformatics, Chemistry, Business Administration and Computer Science.

RWTH Aachen University

RWTH Aachen University, established in 1870, is a government university located in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. The acceptance rate for international students is around 10%. Around 150 programs are available at RWTH, including popular ones in IT, engineering, business administration, computer science, and natural sciences.

RWTH Aachen University: Highlights

Particulars

Details

RWTH Aachen University Acceptance Rate

10%

RWTH Aachen University Fee for Indians

No tuition fee

Semester fee ranges from around INR 22,970 - 32,150.

Number of International students at the RWTH Aachen University

14,000+

Popular Courses at the RWTH Aachen University

IT, Engineering, Business Administration, Computer Science, and Natural Sciences.


Karlsruhe Institute of Technology

Established in 2009, KIT is a German government/public university in Baden-Württemberg, Germany. Karlsruhe Institute of Technology offers over 112 degrees in 44 undergraduate and 68 postgraduate programs which are taught in English. Some popular programs at KIT include natural science, engineering, economics, humanities and social sciences. The KIT acceptance rate for overseas students is between 20 - 30%.

Karlsruhe Institute of Technology: Highlights

Particulars

Details

Karlsruhe Institute of Technology Acceptance Rate

20 to 30%

Karlsruhe Institute of Technology Fee for Indians

INR 2.71 Lakhs per year (varies)

Number of International students at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology

5,475

Popular Courses at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology


STEM fields


Humboldt University of Berlin

Founded in 1810, Humboldt is a famous government university in Berlin, Germany. The university accepts approximately 18% of international students for admission. The Humboldt University of Berlin provides over 171 courses with popular computer science, agriculture, economics, mathematics, management, and law programs.

Humboldt University of Berlin: Highlights

Particulars

Details

Humboldt University of Berlin Acceptance Rate

18%

Humboldt University of Berlin Fee for Indians

No tuition fee

Number of International students at the Humboldt University of Berlin

6,154

Popular Courses at the Humboldt University of Berlin

Computer Science, Agriculture, Economics, Mathematics, Management, and Law


Technical University of Berlin

In Berlin, Germany Technical University of Berlin was established as a renowned public university in 1879. Out of 100 applicants, around 52 per cent of the students are approved for admission to Technical University. Over 100 different degrees are offered at the Technical University of Berlin with popular science, mathematics, engineering, social sciences, humanities, economics and management courses.

Technical University of Berlin: Highlights

Particulars

Details

Technical University of Berlin Acceptance Rate

52%

Technical University of Berlin Fee for Indians

There is no tuition fee, still, some master's program requires fee

No. of International students at the Technical University of Berlin

10,244

Popular Courses at the Technical University of Berlin


Science, Mathematics, Engineering, Social Sciences, Humanities, Economics and Management.

Factors to consider when choosing Ivy League Universities in Germany

Consider the following factors while planning to apply to Ivy League Universities in Germany.

  • Research about the specific field of study that you wish to pursue at an Ivy League university in Germany.
  • Explore the right city and campus for you by exploring different locations in Germany.
  • Understand the language requirements, if any. Several universities in germany offer programs in English, however some offer in German language only. .
  • Make use of the university rankings to decide which university to aim for in Germany.
  • If you are aiming for a research-centric program, then apply to universities known for their research work.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: What is the best university in Germany?
A:

The best universities in Germany include the Technical University of Munich, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Heidelberg University, Freie Universität Berlin, RWTH Aachen University and more.

Q: What is Harvard of Europe?
A:

The University of Cambridge (UC) and the University of Oxford (UO) are regarded as the Harvard of Europe. UC is a public collegiate research university established in 1209 in Cambridgeshire, England. UO was established in 1096 and is the top research public university in Oxford, England.

Q: Does Europe have an Ivy League?
A:

Europe does not have an Ivy League like the United States, but it does have some prestigious universities. In UK there are Russel Group universities while Germany has Universities of Excellence, which provide the best education and opportunities like Ivy League Universities.

Q: What is the Harvard of Germany?
A:

The University of Mannheim is known as Harward of Germany, the university is a publicly funded research university that was founded in 1967, in Baden Wittenberg. 

Questions related to

On Question asked by student community

Have a question related to ?

Hello ,

Yes , It's possible to study B arch in Germany for free since most public universities don't charge tution fees but you need to meet certain requirements.  A  strong portfolio and you will have to show proficiency in the German language by passing exam like TestDaH or DSH.

Some universities conduct an aptitude test or interview to evaluate your understanding of architecture before granting an admission.

Thank you

Hello,

Yes, you can definitely pursue B.Sc. and an M.Sc. in Physics from IISc Bengaluru and then later aim for your Ph.D. (Doctorate) at Technical University of Berlin (TUB), Germany.

Choosing, the Physics programme from IISC has a strong international reputation, and its degree is well-recognized globally, including in German universities. After completing your M.Sc., you can apply for Ph.D. positions in TUB or any other German institutes through programs like DAAD scholarships or direct university applications.

ALL THE BEST.

1. TUM (Munich) – Engineering, Computer Science

2. LMU (Munich) – Medicine, Humanities

3. Heidelberg University – Medicine, Life Sciences

4. Humboldt University (Berlin) – Humanities, Social Sciences

5. KIT (Karlsruhe) – Engineering, Natural Sciences

6. RWTH Aachen – Engineering

7. University of Freiburg – Environmental Science

8. University of Stuttgart – Engineering, Automotive

9. Free University of Berlin – Political Science, Medicine

10. University of Mannheim – Business, Economics

These universities offer affordable or tuition-free education for international students.

Hello,

yes you can study for a bachelor's degree in Germany, as your diploma in nautical science may be considered equivalent to the 12th year for admission purposes. However each university may have specific requirements, so its important to check their entry criteria you might also need to provide additional documentation, like your diplomas' equivalency to German standards.

Hello,

It depends on the university you are applying to. Most German universities do not require GATE for admission to a Master's in Biotechnology. However, some universities may ask for the GRE , especially if you are applying to a highly competitive program.

You should check the specific admission requirements of the universities you are interested in. Generally, having IELTS (or TOEFL) and a German language proficiency certificate (if the course is in German) is enough.

Hope it helps !